Lansing, Mich. – Michigan is one of 20 states chosen to participate in a national educational initiative aimed at aligning math pathways with future career interests.
“We are excited to collaborate with our fellow education partners on this initiative to remove barriers to student success that currently exist for some students in math courses,” said Brandy Johnson, president of the Michigan Community College Association. “Working to ensure our math curriculum prepares students for their futures is important work and we’re proud to be part of this effort.”
The Launch Years initiative is run by the Charles A. Dana Center at the University of Austin and will be joined collectively in Michigan by the Michigan Community College Association, Michigan College Access Network, Michigan Department of Education and the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity’s Office of Sixty by 30.
This initiative aims to address three barriers that often stand in the way of student success in math, including:
“Michigan’s engagement in the Launch Years Initiative will contribute to valuable cross-sector work that improves math transitions, closes racial equity gaps and brings us closer to our state’s Sixty by Thirty goal,” said Ryan Fewins-Bliss, MCAN executive director. “Research shows that only 18 percent of Michigan community college students placed in developmental education math courses go on to complete their degree within three years. By redesigning transitional math courses, we can significantly increase the number of first-year college students who complete a gateway math course in their first year.”
Michigan education leaders will be able to share best practices and collaborate with educational leaders from the 19 other states participating in the effort. The effort will focus on offering alternative math pathways for students, while focusing on modern curriculum and content to allow students to learn math skills that patch their future goals.
“We’re focused on helping Michiganders achieve the postsecondary goals that will help them thrive in their life and career,” said Sarah Szurpicki, Office of Sixty by 30 Director. “This means we’re always looking to make that educational pathway smoother and more aligned with the needs and dreams of students. Without lowering the bar, the Launch Years Initiative will help us ensure we’re taking a common sense and aligned approach to math education in Michigan that helps more people succeed.”
The state previously worked with the Dana Center in 2016 for the ‘Right Math at the Right Time for Michigan’ initiative that focused on strengthening math pathways. The Launch Years initiative will take place over the next three years.
Learn more about the Launch Years initiative at https://www.utdanacenter.org/blog/launch-years.
ABOUT MICHIGAN COMMUNITY COLLEGE ASSOCIATION
The Michigan Community College Association is the unified voice for Michigan’s community colleges, empowering members to lead in the areas of student success, talent development, and community vitality. MCCA exists to strengthen public awareness and recognition of the role of community colleges, and support members in delivering education and training that is responsive to changing labor-market needs. It is focused on fostering collaboration, connection, and partnerships among community colleges and stakeholders. Learn more at www.mcca.org.
ABOUT MICHIGAN COLLEGE ACCESS NETWORK
As the leader in the state’s college access movement, MCAN works to improve the futures of Michigan’s students and communities by making college accessible to all. MCAN’s work centers on one main goal: To increase Michigan’s postsecondary educational attainment rate to 60% by 2030. MCAN engages partners statewide who are committed to systems-level change and the reduction of barriers to increase college readiness, participation and completion rates, particularly among low-income students, first-generation college-going students, and students of color. For more information, visit micollegeaccess.org.
ABOUT MICHIGAN DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
The Michigan Department of Education supports learners and learning in Michigan. Every learner in Michigan’s public schools will have an inspiring, engaging, and caring learning environment that fosters creative and critical thinkers who believe in their ability to positively influence Michigan and the world beyond. Learn more at Michigan.gov/mde.
ABOUT OFFICE OF SIXTY BY 30
The Office of Sixty by 30’s goal is to Increase the number of working-age adults with a skill certificate or college degree from 49% today to 60% by 2030 in order to build a better Michigan. Achieving this goal will help close the skills gap that poses the single greatest threat to the success of our businesses and our state’s prosperity. Jobs requiring skilled employees today, as well as jobs on the horizon, demand greater education and training than ever before. Increasingly, the best jobs require more than a high school diploma; increase opportunity and Michiganders greater access to the education and skills that create opportunities for better jobs and bigger paychecks; and make Michigan more competitive for inclusive economic growth.
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